Jonathan Caruana makes 300 Premier Division appearance Published on: 22-03-2017
Valletta FC international defender Jonathan Caruana played his 300th match in the Malta Premier Division last Friday in their top of the table clash against Balzan (1-0) at the National Stadium. The 30-year-old (40 caps for Malta), is the 42nd player in the history of Maltese football reaching the 300 appearances at Malta’s top level.
Caruana registered with Hibernians FC in October 2000 as a 14-year-old after being released by Hamrun Spartans. At the age of 17, the central defender made his senior debut for the club on the last day of the Premier Division against Marsaxlokk (8 May 2004, 4-1). At that stage, Jonathan was already chosen to play for the national U17 team and continued to be a steady member of the national teams on youth level during the years. Eventually he managed to collect 24 official international youth appearances (15 x U/21, 5 x U/19 & 4 x U/17).
In season 2007/08, when he was still a member of the U/21 squad, Jonathan made his debut for the national team against Austria, during an international friendly (1-5), aged 21. Included in his time with Hibernians was also a short six-month loan move with Mosta FC (2006).
Domestically, it was soon clear that Caruana developed into one of the best defenders on the island. In 2010, after 132 senior appearances for Hibernians (all competitions), he sealed a delicate move to Valletta FC, who were very keen to obtain his services. It was a move they never regretted, proving the 4 national titles Valletta FC won since he entered the club.
Counting his appearances during all national and international matches, Jonathan has collected an impressive 422 appearances, including 23 in the European Cup, 26 in the FA Trophy and 4 in the Super Cup. It has established him into one of the most experienced defenders in Malta, who has now also entered the club of footballers with (more then) 300 appearances in the Maltese Premiership.
Source - MFA
Source - MFA
